Nestlé is rebranding two popular Australian products Red Skins and Chicos, which have been labelled as offensive by consumers for years. This article was first published in stablemate publication AdNews.
The two items, produced by Nestle-owned Australian brand Allen’s, will have their names changed to ensure no communities are “marginalised”.
“Redskin” is an offensive term for Native Americans and First Nations Canadians, while “chico” is also used as an offensive term for people of Latin American descent.
In a public statement, Allen’s said it hadn’t decided on a new name but “appreciate the comments” on the need for change.
“This decision acknowledges the need to keep creating smiles, ensuring that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues, or is out of step with our values,” Allen’s said in a statement on Facebook.
“We haven’t finalised the new names, but we’ll keep you posted. We appreciate the comments we have received on the need for change.”
While the brand has been called on to drop the names for years, the decision comes amid the Black Lives Matter movement, sparked by police brutality in the US, which has caused many brands to re-evaluate their branding and messaging.
Other brands, such as Mars Foods’ Uncle Ben’s and PepsiCo’s Quaker Oats, have announced a review into their branding and messaging in response to the protests against racism.
Locally, Queensland senator Matt Canavan weighed in on Nestle’s decision, saying he was “disappointed” by the move.
"This is a multinational company in Nestle effectively killing off iconic Aussie brands," Canavan told Nine.
"If they don't want to market these products why don’t they give it back to someone who does.”
